Real Estate Blog

When choosing wood laminate flooring, you have much to consider: price, quality of the surface finish, thickness of the product and what underlayment you'll use.  You WILL get what you pay for.

If you want to stay on a budget, you can choose either a thinner "wood" that will feel and sound more like laminate, or you can choose a "cheap" thicker product that might have a not-so-durable finish. 

I looked at many products before I made my choice. I though I found a great deal when I found 12mm thick, hand scraped flooring at Floor and Decor for just $2.49 a square. The man at the store assured me would not scratch easily and that it would withstand both kids and large dogs.

Well, I put the flooring in, with much effort as it wasn't easy to "click together" like they said. Then, on day 1 we got our first scratch from a chair that weighs less than 20 lbs.  Today, I found a huge chip in the floor. I'm not abusing this floor in any way. It looks great, but now I'm very worried that it's going to get ruined in a short amount of time.

To stay within my budget, I now wish I'd chosen a more durable, well known product that might not look so "real" but would last for years.

So, if you want a real looking wood AND you have no kids, no dogs, and are gentle in that room, go for a bargain. However, research carefully if your floor will be getting regular use.

My review for Eco Forest flooring by Floor and Decor is STAY AWAY from it.

Don't forget to put your large trash items out on the spceified dates below.

It is only offered once a year, however, you can call and schedule a pick up for a small fee.  I believe it's around $25 for "normal" items.

For more information including a schedule map, you can visit the City's website at http://www.peoriaaz.gov/content2.asp?ID=813.

FROM THE WASTE COLLECTION WEBSITE FOR PEORIA, AZ:

Once a year, the City offers free pickup of large items from your home. The 2010 Loose Trash Cleanup Program will start the week of January 18, 2010 and end the week of May 24, 2010. Please view the map below to obtain your scheduled week of service. 

 View the 2010 Loose Trash Clean Up map » 

 This program is for residents with City of Peoria refuse collection services only. To setup refuse collection services with the City of Peoria, please call 623-773-7160.   If you have questions, please contact the Solid Waste Division at 623-773-7431.

Acceptable Items	Unacceptable Items
Appliances:  Stoves, refrigerators, washers and dryers (Please remove doors on appliances to insure child and pet safety)   Furniture:  Sofas, chairs, tables, bookcases, desks, patio furniture, exercise equipment.   Trees:  Branches, tree limbs, bagged grass/leaves, cacti (boxed)   Wood:  Fences, building material	Hazardous Waste: Motor Oil, Paint, Paint Thinner, Cleaners, Gasoline, Batteries Medical Waste   Inert Materials: Rocks, Bricks, Dirt, Blocks, Concrete  Auto Parts: Tires,Auto Body Parts, etc.   Misc.  Roofing Material, Separate Glass doors/windows, animal feces

Guidelines

 To ensure that your items are picked up on a timely manner, please follow these guidelines:

• DO place loose trash out on Thursday before your scheduled week and no later than 6:00 am on the Monday of your scheduled service week.
• DO place loose trash curbside, at edge of property or end of driveway.  Items should be 5 feet away from parked cars.
• DO remove, tape, or tie doors to all appliances to ensure they remain closed as a safety precaution.
• DO place cacti in sturdy boxes, cut tree limbs into 5 - 8 foot sections and stack so all point in same direction.
• DO NOT place loose trash near to or behind parked vehicles, fences, utility boxes, water meters, vehicles,mailboxes or other fixed objects.  Your items WILL NOT be picked up.
• DO NOT place loose trash over sprinklers, cable boxes, near ornamental borders or on grass/desert landscaping.  It is the responsibility of the resident to maintain landscaping if disturbed by equipment.
• Items that are close to a structure, in backyards, garages or vacant lots will not be collected.
• Maximum Per Household is: 2000 Pounds and/or 10 cubic yards (approx. the size of a minivan).

 If you have questions or need assistance with your schedule, please feel free to contact the Solid Waste Division at 623-773-7431.

Para solicitar este folleto en español por favor de llamar al Departamento de Sanidad al 623-773-7431.

The Solid Waste Division would like to thank you for your assistance and participation during the Loose Trash Cleanup Program. As a reminder, your refuse collection will change during the holidays observed by the City of Peoria. Keep informed of these changes by checking the Holiday Collection Schedule on this website, referring to your Solid Waste Collection and Information Brochure or contacting the Solid Waste Division.

For Hazardous Waste Disposal, click here for a list of the upcoming dates of the Household Hazardous Waste drop off events. You must have City of Peoria Residential Refuse Services to participate in this program.

For more information, contact us during our business hours, 6 am - 5 pm - Monday through Friday, at 623-773-7431or email us at SolidWaste@peoriaaz.gov. You can also call the 24 hour Solid Waste Service Information Line at 623-773-7441.

I am proud to announce that Terramar Elementary on 67th and Happy Valley Road has won the 2009 Award for Excellence.  Being the parent of one of the students, I can attest to the quality of teaching and the caring of the teachers at this school.  I can't say enough about how much they have done for my son, who is in kindergarten. He has some learning issues and everyone has gone above and beyond what I ever expected.  Thank you to Mrs. Tellier, Mr. Schmidt, Ms. Hicks, and Mrs. Sadler and all the staff!!!! Thank you! You guys rock!

Terramar School is currently reviewing the opportunity to become a Core Knowledge school.  The Deer Valley Unified School District will be selecting two in district schools to implement the Core Knowledge curriculum in grades preschool through 8.

What is Core Knowledge?

An Idea...that for the sake of academic excellence, greater fairness, and higher literacy, elementary and middle schools need a solid, specific, shared core curriculum in order to help children establish strong foundations of knowledge, grade by grade.

Core Knowledge markets themselves through the four S's:

*Solid

*Sequenced

*Specific

*Shared

Visit coreknowledge.org to learn more about the Core Knowledge philosophy and approach.

I received this meeting notice and am passing it along to all residents of Terramar and Westwing.

EMAIL NOTIFICATION:

Residents of Terramar and West Wing are invited to attend a community meeting regarding the 78 acre parcel of land located north of Happy Valley Road and east of 83rd Avenue.  Aloravita, LLC ("Aloravita") is proposing a Minor General Plan Amendment for this parcel.
The proposed Minor General Plan Amendment seeks only to redesignate the property from its current designation to a Mixed-Use designation. Aloravita is not seeking to rezone the property at this time.

At the community meeting, Aloravita will present an overview of the proposed Minor General Plan Amendment and will be available to answer questions and provide more information. The community meeting will also afford area residents and business owners an opportunity to provide feedback and comment on the proposed amendment.

If you have questions about the meeting or the proposed amendment, please contact:

Lisa Urias
480-751-5569

What:  Community Meeting for Terramar Residents
When: Thursday, December 10, 2009
Time:  7:00 p.m.
Place:  Terramar Elementary School, Library, 7000 W. Happy Valley Road